Colors of Grand Gaube - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Grand Gaube is known for its multi-ethnicity - the Indian, Muslim, and Chinese diasporas peacefully coexist here. In addition, French, South Africans, and British live in the city permanently. All this together gives a very rich culture, which cannot be ignored. The language mostly spoken by local people is Creole. Ethnic diversity is also reflected in the character of locals, as well as in the national cuisine, traditions, holidays, and culture. Residents of Grand Gaube never refuse to help, as they are accustomed to the influx of tourists and are in fact very good-natured, and there are no exceptions in this case.

You can't miss your chance to see the local dance Sega. It came from Africa together with the first slaves brought by Europeans and remained in this little paradise as a national tradition. This is a stunningly fiery and fun dance, during which you can feel part of the Mauritian culture as if plunging into its mystery. Women dressed in bright skirts dance like Indian goddesses, luring Mauritian men to dance and fascinating all who are lucky enough to see this action.

A relaxed attitude to life and friendliness are something that distinguishes locals. The main value for them is their family, they know how to enjoy every day and teach this to their children from early childhood. Just like to work - however, they clearly understand that there must be sufficient time for rest. Since the city is small like the island itself, everyone knows each other by face and by name. They're all great talkers curiously listening to the interlocutors and their stories about a particular tradition in their countries. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Just like the island itself, the local cuisine is multinational, which is yet due to the already mentioned fact that here you can meet representatives of different ethnic groups. French, British, Indian, Chinese - here you can try all these cuisines. In addition, due to this diversity, there is a mix of cuisines that gives interesting combinations. The main products are fruits, vegetables, seafood, and fish. Be sure to try the "puri" (a sandwich made from special flour with sauce and a variety of fillings), "samoussa" (puff meat-filled triangles), "curry" (rice with sauce), "bullet soup" (meat dumplings in spicy chicken broth). Beer and herbal liquors, as well as local rum, are popular alcoholic drinks.

On February 1, Grand Gaube celebrates one of the most important holidays in all of Mauritius (however, it is widely celebrated beyond its borders). He is dedicated to the abolition of slavery, which occurred in 1835. It is a public holiday, and therefore nobody works on this day. It is celebrated with parades, dances and, of course, fireworks, which is the culmination of the festival. Another national holiday is celebrated along with the Day of All Saints on November 2. This is the Day of the First Workers, and more specifically, the day of arrival of the first workers from India. The holiday is official but celebrated in a narrow family circle.

Indian diaspora's holidays always attract heightened attention, being the most colorful on the island. One of the most significant holidays in the city is Kavadi falling on the end of January or the beginning of February. Before the celebration, initiates keep a strict fast for ten days. During the holiday, believers carry kavadi - a bowl of wood, plastic or metal with milk - to the statue of the god Murugan, the son of Shiva. Having poured milk on the statue, people begin rejoicing and having fun - this means life in its true manifestation. This day is painted in orange-yellow, as the procession is followed by people dressed in these colors. It is customary to pierce the tongue and cheeks with a special needle.

Diwali is probably the most colorful Hindu holiday celebrated in early November or late October. It is dedicated to the victory of the force of good in the face of Rama over the great evil personified by Ravan. Prince Rama freed Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, thereby filling the whole world with light. And this is exactly what the inhabitants of Grand Gaube are doing during the celebration of the Hindu holiday - it is simply impossible to find a place not illuminated with lights. This applies not only to central streets of the city and Hindu temples but also residential buildings. At this time, all the doors are wide open - it is believed that Lakshmi will be thus able to enter the house to bless believers, giving them a year of prosperity.

The end of January or the beginning of February is marked by the Chinese New Year, which is also known as the Spring Festival. This is one of the most colorful festivals when the representatives of the Chinese diaspora lead a procession around the city wearing dragon costumes and carrying the statue of a Chinese dragon and a lion, making loud noises with firecrackers - it is believed that this is how evil spirits can be chased away. This is the time of dances, circus performances, and real fun - the event is not complete without it. A festive dinner awaits everyone at home, offerings are made in temples, and the general atmosphere is family-friendly.

Among adherents of Islam, the most significant holidays are Eid-al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, and Muḥarram dedicated to mourning the death of Ḥusayn ibn ʿAl, which marks the new year. Eid-al-Fitr teaches everyone to be kind, share food and give alms. Muḥarram is a more colorful holiday. At this time, besides prayers, you can witness public festivities called “yamseh”. And that means it's time to get acquainted with the traditions of Muslims in Grand Gaube. As is known, here they are slightly different from traditional Islamic customs in the East. Muslim holidays are assigned dates according to the Islamic calendar.